Molded game ball

ABSTRACT

A baseball or softball comprising a cover having an outer surface that is formed of a first material. A second material that is easier to grip than the first material is affixed to the cover in the same location as the seam on a conventional baseball or softball. The ball&#39;s outer surface is molded and stitchless, meaning that the outer covering is not made by stitching panels together. While the ball may be stitchless, it may have simulated, molded stitches. The second material, when positioned on a planar surface, comprises a continuous strip having two generally semicircular ends each integral with a pair of opposed concave sides (e.g. a FIG.  8  configuration).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to,U.S. Ser. No. 12/958,956 filed Dec. 2, 2010 which is incorporated hereinby reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a game ball, and inparticular, to a game ball having a grip enhancing material affixed toits cover.

2. Description of Related Art

The covers of conventional baseballs and softballs are typically formedfrom two panels which are positioned over an interior structure of theball and stitched together to form a seam. The panels may be formed froma variety of materials depending on the anticipated use and desired costof the ball. For example, the panels may be formed from leather,polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, or blends thereof. Alternatively,baseballs and softballs may be “stitchless” having an outer cover thatis molded from a polymeric material. These stitchless balls may havesimulated stitching molded to the outer cover in the same generallocation as the stitches on a conventional baseball or softball. Beforethrowing either type of ball, a player typically utilizes the seams toobtain a preferred grip on the ball. Further, players and coaches viewthe seams of a thrown ball in order to determine the ball's rotation,which typically is indicative of the flight path that the ball willfollow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a game ball having grip enhancingmaterial on the exterior surface of the ball, wherein the grip enhancingmaterial is presented on the ball in a pattern that resembles or mimicsthe pattern of the seam on a conventional stitched ball. The gripenhancing material is preferably presented in a prominent color toenable players and/or coaches to determine the rotation of the ball whenthrown.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a game ballcomprising a cover having at least two panels that are coupled togetheralong a seam. Each panel comprises an outer surface that is formed of afirst material. A second material that is easier to grip than the firstmaterial is affixed to each of the panels adjacent to the seam. Thesecond material may be affixed to the first material in any manner. Forexample, the second material may be sprayed, coated, screened, adhered,welded, bonded, or chemically bonded to the first material. The secondmaterial enhances a player's ability to grip the game ball by presentinga surface surrounding the ball's seam that is easier to grip than theremainder of the ball's cover. Preferably, the second material also hasa different color than the first material in order to enhance a player'sability to determine the rotation of the ball when thrown. Mostpreferably, stitching joins the two panels and the second material isthe same color as the stitching.

The second material of the game ball is easier to grip than the firstmaterial. For example, the second material may comprise a material thatis tackier than the first material; a material that has a highercoefficient of friction, static and/or dynamic, than the first material;a material that has a lower hardness or durometer than the firstmaterial; and/or a material that is textured differently from the firstmaterial. Preferably, the second material of the game ball has a greaterfrictional interaction with a player's hands than the first material.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward abaseball or softball comprising a cover having an outer surface that isformed of a first material. A second material that is easier to gripthan the first material is affixed to the cover in the same location asthe seam on a conventional baseball or softball. Preferably, the ball'souter surface is molded and stitchless, meaning that the outer coveringis not made by stitching panels together. While the ball may bestitchless, it may have simulated, molded stitches. Preferably, thesecond material, when positioned on a planar surface, comprises acontinuous strip having two generally semicircular ends each integralwith a pair of opposed concave sides (e.g. a FIG. 8 configuration). Thesecond material is easier to grip than the first material as describedabove.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages andnovel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learnedfrom the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of theinvention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitiesand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a game ball according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one panel of the ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another panel of the ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a stitchless game ball inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the game ball of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 9-9 in FIG. 7;and

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a stitchless game ball havingsimulated molded stitches in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an enhanced grip game ball according to oneembodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10. Game ball10 is a softball or baseball having a cover 12 that is formed from apair of substantially identical panels 14 and 16. Panels 14 and 16 arestitched together with thread 18 that passes through openings 19 (FIG.5) in the panels to form a seam 20. The panels 14 and 16 enclose aninterior structure of the ball (not shown), which may be formed from anymaterial or combination of materials. Preferably, the ball's interiorstructure is formed in the same manner as a conventional baseball orsoftball that is suitable for competitive use. However, it is within thescope of the invention for the ball's interior structure to be formed inany manner.

Referring to FIG. 4, outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a of panels 14 and 16,respectively, are formed from a first material, and a second material 22is affixed to each of the outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a adjacent to seam20. The thickness of the second material 22 is exaggerated for clarityin FIG. 4. The panels 14 and 16 may be constructed entirely from thefirst material, or the panels 14 and 16 may be formed from more than onematerial such that the first material which makes up the outer surfaces14 a and 16 a of the panels 14 and 16 is applied, affixed, or otherwisejoined to the material or materials that make up the remainder of thepanels 14 and 16. The second material 22 may comprise any type ofmaterial that is easier to grip than the first material which formsouter surfaces 14 a and 16 a. The second material 22 enhances a player'sability to grip the game ball 10 by presenting a surface surrounding theball's seam 20 that is preferably tackier than the outer surfaces 14 aand 16 a which are formed from the first material, has a coefficient offriction, static or dynamic, that is greater than the first material, istextured, and/or has a lower hardness or durometer than the firstmaterial.

The first material that forms outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a may be anytype of material but is preferably full grain leather, split leather, asynthetic polymeric material such as vinyl, polyurethane,polyvinylchloride, or blends thereof. As described above, panels 14 and16 may be formed from more than one material, such as full grain orsplit leather coated with a polymeric material such as vinyl,polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, or blends thereof that forms the outersurfaces 14 a and 16 a of the panels. The second material 22 that isaffixed to outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a is preferably ink, siliconeenhanced ink, paint, adhesive, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, rubber,leather, synthetic leather, elastomer, or combinations thereof.

The second material 22 may be applied to each outer surface 14 a and 16a in any manner. For example, the second material 22 may comprise paintor ink that is applied to outer surfaces by silk screening, padprinting, coating, or spraying 14 a and 16 a and allowed to dry. Thesecond material 22 may also comprise a strip or strips of material thatare adhered, bonded, chemically bonded, or thermally bonded to outersurfaces 14 a and 16 a. The second material 22 may also comprise an inkthat is first applied to the outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a and then isheated to permanently bond it to the outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a.Further, the second material 22 may be applied to the outer surfaces 14a and 16 a after they are stitched together along seam 20, or beforethey are stitched together as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

It is also within the scope of the present invention for the secondmaterial 22 to be positioned in a recess that is formed in panels 14 and16. For example, the panels 14 and 16 may be skived, compressed, orotherwise reduced in thickness before the second material 22 is affixedto the reduced thickness portion of the panels 14 and 16. Alternatively,the second material 22 may be affixed to the edges of panels 14 and 16such that the second material 22 is positioned directly adjacent to theinterior structure of the ball.

When a player's hand is in direct contact with ball 10, the frictionalinteraction between the second material 22 and the player's hand ispreferably greater than the frictional interaction between the firstmaterial that forms panel outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a and the player'shand. Further, the coefficient of friction of the second material 22 ispreferably greater than the coefficient of friction of the firstmaterial. Preferably, both the dynamic and static coefficients offriction are greater for the second material 22 than for the firstmaterial. However, it is also within the scope of the invention foreither the static or dynamic coefficient of friction to be greater forthe second material 22 than for the first material. Preferably, thestatic coefficient of friction for the first material is between 0.75 to1, and most preferably between 0.9 to 1. Preferably, the staticcoefficient of friction for the second material is between 1 to 1.4, andmost preferably between 1.1 to 1.3. Preferably, the dynamic coefficientof friction for the first material is between 0.5 to 0.95, and mostpreferably between 0.75 to 0.95. Preferably, the dynamic coefficient offriction for the second material is between 0.95 to 1.2, and mostpreferably between 1 to 1.1.

The second material 22 may present a textured surface that enhances aplayer's ability to grip the game ball 10. For example, the secondmaterial 22 may have a pebbled surface or have any other pattern ofcontours, protrusions or depressions that present a textured surface. Ifthe second material 22 has protrusions, preferably the protrusions havea height that is less than the height of the stitching 18 on the ball,which is preferably between approximately 0.01 to 0.08 inches.

The second material 22 may also be easier to grip than the firstmaterial because the second material is tackier than the first material.For example, the second material 22 may be formed from an adhesive orany of the other materials referenced above that is tackier than thefirst material.

It is also within the scope of the invention for the second material 22to have a lower hardness or durometer than the first material so thatthe second material 22 is easier to grip than the first material.

The second material 22 also preferably has a different color than thefirst material so that it is easier to determine the ball's rotationwhen it is thrown or pitched. Typically, players and coaches focus onthe seams of a thrown ball in order to determine the ball's rotation,which can be indicative of the flight path that the ball will follow.Because the second material 22 is visually more prominent than the seamson a typical baseball or softball, it is easier for players and coachesto determine the rotation of ball 10 than the rotation of a typicalsoftball or baseball. The ball 10 may be used for training pitchers andbatters to spot the rotation of different types of pitches since it iseasier to view the rotation of ball 10. For instance, pitchers andpitching coaches can more easily see the rotation of ball 10 when it ispitched to determine and improve upon a pitcher's effectiveness. Ball 10may also be used for training a batter to spot different types ofpitches based on their rotation, which can help the batter anticipate aball's flight path. The thread 18 that joins panels 14 and 16 ispreferably the same color as the second material 22. However, it iswithin the scope of the invention for the thread 18 to be a differentcolor than the second material 22. Preferably, the second material 22has a color that is highly visible and that contrasts with the color ofthe first material to enhance visibility. Most preferably, the secondmaterial 22 is formed from a bright red or neon color that contrastswith the remainder of the ball 10. If the ball 10 is for use in acompetition that is sanctioned by a particular organization, preferablythe second material is the color that is required by that particularorganization. For example, the second material 22 is preferably blue ifthe ball 10 is a softball for use in an USSSA sanctioned competition,the second material 22 is preferably black if the ball 10 is a softballfor use in a NSA sanctioned competition, and the second material 22 ispreferably green if the ball 10 is a softball for use in an ISAsanctioned competition.

Ball 10 is particularly advantageous for use as a training aid becausethe second material 22 makes it easier for a player to grip the ball andbecause the second material 22, when having a different color than thefirst material, makes it easier for a player or coach to determine theball's rotation when thrown. However, it is also within the scope of theinvention for ball 10 to be used as a competition baseball or softballif desired.

The shape of panel 14 is described herein with reference to FIG. 5.Because panel 16 (FIG. 6) is identical to panel 14, its shape is notdescribed in detail herein and it should be understood that thedescription of panel 14 herein also applies to panel 16. Panel 14 is agenerally planar sheet of material having a pair of circular ends 24 and26 that are joined by a middle section 28 which has concave sides 30 and32. The second material 22 is affixed to a peripheral edge 33 of panel14 and has a FIG. 8 shape that is defined by a pair of semicircular ends34 and 36 that are each joined with a pair of opposed concave sides 38and 40. As described above, the second material 22 may be affixed topanels 14 and 16 either before or after they are stitched together.Further, if the second material 22 is affixed to edges of panels 14 and16 such that the second material 22 is adjacent to the ball's interiorstructure, the second material 22 for each panel 14 and 16 may bestitched together.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second material 22 is positioned betweenthe holes 19 and the peripheral edges of the panels 14 and 16 such thatit is coextensive with the stitching 18 of the ball as shown in FIG. 1.However, it is within the scope of the invention for the second material22 to cover more or less of the panels 14 and 16 then shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The width of second material 22 on each of panels 14 and 16 ispreferably between approximately 3 to 12 millimeters, more preferablybetween approximately 5 to 8 millimeters, and most preferablyapproximately 5 millimeters. Thus, when the panels 14 and 16 are joinedtogether at seam 20 the total width of second material 22 is preferablybetween approximately 6 to 24 millimeters, more preferably betweenapproximately 10 to 16 millimeters, and most preferably approximately 10millimeters. The thickness of the second material 22, or the distancefrom outer surfaces 14 a and 16 a to the top 22 a of the second material22, as shown in FIG. 4, is preferably between approximately 0.25 to 3millimeters, and most preferably approximately 1.5 millimeters. Panels14 and 16 may have any desirable thickness.

While game ball 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-6 as a baseball or softballformed from two panels 14 and 16 that are sewn together along a seam 20,other types of game balls are within the scope of the present invention.For example, soccer balls, volleyballs, basketballs, and footballshaving an easy to grip second material 22, as described above, affixedto their outer surface adjacent to a seam are also within the scope ofthe present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a second embodiment of game ball accordingto the present invention is shown generally as 110. Game ball 110 has astitchless cover 112 that is preferably molded. Stitchless, as usedherein, encompasses a game ball that has simulated, molded stitches, asshown in FIG. 10 and described below. An outer surface 112 a (FIG. 9) ofcover 112 is preferably formed from a first material. A second material114 is affixed to the outer surface of cover 112 in the same location asthe seam on a conventional baseball or softball that is formed from twopanels which are stitched together, such as the ball 10 shown in FIGS.1-6. The second material 114, when positioned on a planar surface, hasthe same shape as the shape of the second material 22 that is shown inFIG. 5. Thus, the second material 114, when positioned on a planarsurface, comprises a continuous strip in the general shape of a FIG. 8having two generally semicircular ends, one of which is shown as 116 inFIG. 8, each integral with a pair of opposed concave sides 118 and 120.Preferably, the second material 114 has a width of between approximately6 to 24 millimeters, more preferably between approximately 10 to 16millimeters, and most preferably approximately 10 millimeters.

The first and second materials of ball 110 have the same properties asthe first and second materials of ball 10 and preferably are each formedfrom one of the materials listed above for the first and secondmaterials of ball 10. Most preferably, the first material making up thecover 112 of ball 110 is formed from thermoplastic polyurethane,polyurethane, rubber, ionomer, polyvinylchloride, or combinationsthereof, which is molded over any type of interior structure to form amolded cover. The cover 112 of the ball 110 may also be formed from morethan one material. For example, the cover 112 may comprise a backingmaterial that is coated with one of the materials described above. Thebacking material may comprise a woven backing or be formed from fullgrain leather, split leather, or microfiber. The cover 112 may beinjection molded over the interior structure of the ball. The cover 112may also be formed from panels that are positioned over the ball'sinterior structure and thermally bonded to each other to present theouter cover 112. Most preferably, the second material 114 is formed froman ionomer, rubber, ink, silicone enhanced ink, paint, adhesive,polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, leather, synthetic leather, elastomer,or combinations thereof. The second material 114 is preferably silkscreened, pad printed, coated, sprayed, adhered, bonded, chemicallybonded, thermally bonded, or molded to the cover 112.

As described above with respect to ball 10, the second material 114 ofball 110 also preferably has a different color than the first materialfor the purpose of making it easier to identify the ball's rotation whenthrown.

It is also within the scope of the present invention for the secondmaterial 114 to be positioned in a recess that is formed in cover 112.For example, the cover 112 may be skived, compressed, or otherwisereduced in thickness before the second material 114 is affixed to thereduced thickness portion of the cover 112. Alternatively, the secondmaterial 114 may be integrally molded with the remainder of the cover112 such that the second material 114 is positioned directly adjacent tothe interior structure of the ball and forms the entire thickness ofcover 112 where it is positioned.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another embodiment of game ball according tothe present invention is shown as 210. Game ball 210 is substantiallysimilar to game ball 110 except that game ball 210 has raised, moldedprotrusions 212 extending outward from the ball's cover 214 in the samelocation as the stitches on a conventional baseball or softball that isformed from two panels which are stitched together, such as ball 10shown in FIGS. 1-6. The protrusions 212 simulate the look and feel ofthe stitching on a conventional baseball or softball. Like game ball110, the cover 214 of game ball 210 is formed from a first material, anda second material 216 is affixed to the outer surface of cover 214 inthe same location as the seam on a conventional baseball or softballthat is formed from two panels which are stitched together.

The first and second materials of ball 210 have the same properties asthe first and second materials of balls 10 and 110 and preferably areeach formed from one of the materials listed above for the first andsecond materials of balls 10 and 110. Most preferably, the first andsecond materials of ball 210 are formed from the same materials and inthe same manner as described above with respect to ball 110. The moldedprotrusions 212 on ball 210 may be formed from the same material aseither the first or second material, or they may be formed from adifferent material. Further, the molded protrusions 212 may beintegrally molded with cover 214 during the cover's molding process. Asdescribed above with respect to ball 10, the second material 216 of ball210 also preferably has a different color than the first material forthe purpose of making it easier to identify the ball's rotation whenthrown. The molded protrusions 212 may have the same color as the secondmaterial 216. However, it is also within the scope of the invention forthe protrusions 212 to have the same color as the first material or adifferent color.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth,together with the other advantages which are obvious and which areinherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that allmatters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, variousmodifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein,except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is asfollows:
 1. A game ball, comprising: a molded stitchless covercomprising an outer surface at least a portion of which is formed of afirst material molded over an interior structure of the ball to form amolded cover; and a second material affixed to said cover and positionedto mimic the pattern of a seam of a conventional baseball or softball,said second material being easier to grip than said first material. 2.The game ball of claim 1, wherein said first material is formed fromthermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane, rubber, ionomer,polyvinylchloride, or combinations thereof
 3. The game ball of claim 1,wherein said second material has a coefficient of friction that isgreater than said first material.
 4. The game ball of claim 1, whereinsaid second material is tackier than said first material.
 5. The gameball of claim 1, wherein said second material is textured.
 6. The gameball of claim 1, wherein said second material has a lower hardness ordurometer than said first material.
 7. The game ball of claim 3, whereinsaid second material has a static coefficient of friction that isgreater than said first material.
 8. The game ball of claim 7, whereinsaid first material has a static coefficient of friction between 0.75 to1, and said second material has a static coefficient of friction between1 to 1.4.
 9. The game ball of claim 3, wherein said second material hasa dynamic coefficient of friction that is greater than said firstmaterial.
 10. The game ball of claim 9, wherein said first material hasa dynamic coefficient of friction between 0.5 to 0.95, and said secondmaterial has a dynamic coefficient of friction between 0.95 to 1.2. 11.The game ball of claim 1, wherein said second material has a differentcolor than said first material.
 12. The game ball of claim 1, whereinsaid second material is ink.
 13. The game ball of claim 1, wherein saidsecond material is affixed with adhesive or a chemical bond to saidfirst material.
 14. The game ball of claim 2, wherein said secondmaterial comprises ink, silicone enhanced ink, paint, adhesive,polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, rubber, leather, synthetic leather, oran elastomer.
 15. The ball of claim 1, wherein molded raised protrusionsare formed on said outer surface to simulate the stitches of aconventional baseball or softball.
 16. The ball of claim 1, whereinmolded raised protrusions are formed on said second material to simulatethe stitches of a conventional baseball or softball.